Fort St. James

Hiking

Several well-maintained and scenic hikes, ranging in duration from a couple hours to several days, begin within a few minutes of downtown Fort St. James.

Mount Pope Hikes

The first is the hike to the summit of iconic Mount Pope, which overlooks Fort St. James and Stuart Lake. The trail's official start point is approximately 7km/4.3mi from town on Stones Bay Road. Heading from downtown, a sign on the right hand side of the road directs hikers to the trailhead.

Another trailhead, although unofficial, is further down the road. A homemade sign on plywood, also on the right side of the road, marks this trail. The beginning of the climb is a bit steeper than the official route but offers better views. It eventually meets up with the other route.

The moderate to difficult Mount Pope trail is approximately 6.5km/4mi long. The trail is well-maintained due to its popularity. It takes about six hours round-trip to complete, depending on fitness levels. Hikers reach incredible views of Stuart Lake and surrounding area, as well as a wooden gazebo, perfect for picnics.

Mount Dickenson Trail

A second similar hike within walking distance of downtown is the Mount Dickenson Trail. The route takes approximately two hours round-trip to complete. The trailhead is an old road that turns into a steep rough gravel path. This trail also offers stunning views of the lake and area. The route begins close to the hospital.

Town Loop

For those more interested in an urban stroll, the town 'loop' is a pleasant jaunt that follows the shoreline of Stuart Lake. Start at Cottonwood Park, close to downtown, and head out of town towards the Cottonwood Marina. Go right on Stones Bay Road and right again on Hwy 27 to return to Cottonwood Park. This is a great route for strollers, especially on a sunny day.